Imphal: Manipur Police, in coordination with Haryana Police, have arrested an alleged drug kingpin in Churachandpur and recovered Rs 29.42 lakh suspected to be proceeds from narcotics trafficking. In separate anti-drug operations, security forces also seized 5.148 kg of brown sugar valued at around Rs 5 crore and arrested three people with suspected heroin.
According to police, the joint operation was launched following intelligence inputs on an interstate hawala network linked to drug trafficking. Acting on the information, Churachandpur district police arrested Dipu Gupta, a resident of Haryana, from a hideout in the district headquarters.
During the operation, police recovered Rs 29,42,400 in cash believed to be linked to drug-related activities. The accused, along with the seized cash, has been handed over to Haryana Police in connection with a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Haryana in 2023.
In another operation, Bishnupur Commandos intercepted a vehicle near the Kwakta Sericulture Centre after receiving intelligence that narcotics were being transported from Churachandpur to Lilong.
The driver, identified as Md Amzad Khan (47) of Lilong Chingjao, was arrested. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 10 packets containing 5.148 kg of suspected brown sugar, concealed inside the left rear door, along with Rs 83,770 in cash. Police have registered a case at Phougakchao Ikhai Police Station under the NDPS Act.
In a separate operation, security forces intercepted an autorickshaw (Registration No. MN-01AM-1026) at Gelmol Lamkhai under Moirang Police Station and arrested three individuals. They were identified as Ebem (39) of Lilong, Hussain (20) of Imphal West and Md Nasimulla (40) of Thoubal.
During the search, officials recovered around 68 grams of suspected heroin from their possession.
Police said the coordinated operations reflect the continuing efforts of state and central security agencies to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates and hawala networks operating within Manipur and across state borders.